Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1887-10-08

Next appeared HanS CoetZee, his head bound
up in bloody handkerchief. He was pale
and shaky, but Bessie could see that he was
but little tue worse for his wound. Then
came Frank Muller HIMSELF looking white
and very terrible, and as he came the men
stopped their joking and laughing. Indeed
it was curious to observe how strong was his
ascendency over them. As rule, the weak
part of Boer organization is that it is practi-
ally impossible to get one Boer to pay defer
nee to or obey another; but this was GER
tainly Eot the case where Frank Muller was
concerned
Muller advanced without hesitation to the
saw bench at the top of the space, and sat
down on it, placing his rife between his
Knees. After this there was a pause, and
next minute Bessie saw her old uncle con-
iuctefi IN hFzwvarzissl Beers, who halted in
the middle of the space. about three PAGES
from the saw bench, and stood one on either
side of their prisoner. At the same time
Hans Coetzee climbed up into the Scotch cart,
and Muller drew note book and pencil
from his pocket.
"Silence!' he said. ave are assembled here
to try the Englishnlan, Silas Croft, by court
martial. The charges against him are that
by word and deed, notably by continuing to
fly the English flag after the country had
been surrendered to the republic, be has trait
orousy rebelled against the government of
the country. Further, that he has attempted
to murder burgher of the repablic by shoot
ing at him with loaded rifle. II these
charges are proved against him he will be
liable to death. by martial law. Prisoner
Croft, what do you answer to the charges
against youl"
The old man, who seemed very quiet and
composed, looked at his judge and then re-
piled:
Il aman English subject. only defended
my house after you had murdered one Of my
servants deny your jurisdiction over me,
and refuse to plead"
Frank Muller made some notes in his pocket
book, and then said, 81 overrule the prison
er's objection as to the jurisdiction of the
court As to the charges, we will now take
evidence. OF the first charge no evidence is
needed, for we all saw the flag flying. AS to
the second, Hans Coetzee, the assaulted
burgher, will now give evidence. Hans
Coetzee, do you swear in the name of God and
the republic to speak the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth!"
almighty, yes" answered Hans, from the
cart on which he had enthroned himself, $50
help me, the dear Lord"
proceed then"
Il was entering the house of the prisoner to
arrest him, in obedience to your worshipful
commands, when the prisoner lifted a gun
and fired at me. The bullet from the gun
struck me on the ear, cutting it and putting
me TO much pain and loss of blood. That is
the evidence have to give"
"That's right, that is not a lie," said some
of the men Oh the wagon.
"Prisoner, have you any question to ask
the witness?" said ,suler.
II have no questions to ask; deny your
jurisdiction" said the old man with spirit.
"The prisoner declines to question the wit
ness, and again pleads to the jurisdiction, a
plea which have overruled. Gentlemen, do
you desire to hear any further evidence?"
"No, no."
"Do you then find the prisoner guilty of the
charges laid against him?'
"Yes, yes from the wagon.
Muller made further note in his book and
then went on:
"Then, the prisoner having been found
guilty of high trc, lSon and attempted murder,
the only matter that remains is the question
of the punishment required to be meted out
by the law to such wicked and horrible Of
fenses. Every man will give his verdict, hav
ing duly considered if there is any way by
which, in accordance with the holy dictates
of his conscience, and with the natural
promptings to pity in his heart, he can ex-
tend mercy to the prisoner. As commandant
and president of the court the first vote lies
with me; and l must tell you, gentlemen,
that feel the responsibility very hearty
one in the sight of God and my country; and
l must also warn you not to be influenced or
overrulcd by my decision. who am, like you,
IiolNl tn ax1Ah hoI lad
sHear, hear" said the voices on the wagon,
as he paused to note the effect of his address.
Gentlemen and burghers of the state my
natural promptings in this case are toward
pity. The prisoner is an old man, who has
lived many years among us like brother.
Indeed, he is u 'voortrekker,' and, though an
Englishman, one of the fathers of the land.
Can we condemn such one to a bloody
grave more especially as he has niece de-
pendent upon him"
"No, no." they cried, in answer to this skill
full touch upon the better strings in their ma
ture. .-
Gentlemen, those sentiments do you honor.
My own heart cried but now No, no; what
ever his sins have been, let the old man go
free.' But then came reflection. True, the
prisoner is old; but should not age have
taught him wisdom2 Is that which Is not to
be forgiven to youth to be forgiven to the
ripe experience of many yearsi May man
murder and be traitor because he is old?'
mo, certainly not!" cried the chorus on the
wagon. s-f' a '-' .'
"Phen there is the second point He was a
'voortrekker and father of the land. Should
he not therefore have known better than to
benay it into the hands of the cruel, goddess
Englsh' For. gentlemen, though that charge
is not laid against him, we must remember,
as throwing light upon his general charac-
ter, that the prisoner was one af those vile
men who betrayed the land to Shepstone Is
it not most cruel and unnatural thing that
a father should sell his own child into slav-
ery?-that father of the land should barter
away its freedoms Therefore on this point,
too, does justice temper mercy"
"That is SO" said the chorus with particu-
lar enthusiasm, most of them having them
selves been instrumental in bringing the an
naxatiOn ahOut